President Joe Biden was in Lake Charles today to tout his American Jobs Plan, which he says will create millions of jobs to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure. Biden says this legislation would result in tax hikes for the wealthiest Americans to pay for new roads and bridges, like the Calcasieu River Bridge…

Cut 12 (12)   “…this important” 

A bill blocking employers from asking applicants about their wage history clears House Labor. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Carpenter wrote the bill. She says blocking employers from asking about applicants’ wage history ensures they don’t get lowballed when taking a new job.

Cut 16 (09) “…retirement” 

The legislation would also prevent employers from retaliating against employees who share wage information.

LA Wallet users can now use the app to get a digital copy of their COVID Vaccine Card. LA Wallet launched in 2018 to provide a digital copy of your driver’s license. Governor Edwards says the additional feature for your vaccine status is completely voluntary.

Cut 5  (10)  “…allows.”

The LA Wallet app is free.

Ponchatoula native, sophomore LSU QB TJ Finley has officially entered his name into the transfer portal after losing the backup quarterback battle to Max Johnson. USA Today Network LSU Beat reporter Glen Guilbeau says Finley’s stay in Baton Rouge didn’t go as planned but he still has a nice career ahead of him…

Cut 11 (11) “…than ever”

President Biden is in Lake Charles touting his infrastructure plan this hour at the Calcasieu River Bridge. After a tour of hurricane recovery efforts, he will then travel to New Orleans and also visit the city’s water and sewer system.

Four women accusing LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor of fostering a toxic and discriminatory workplace spoke about their decision to file an EEOC complaint against the school. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The LA Wallet on your smartphone can now store your COVID vaccine card. Governor John Bel Edwards says users can be assured their health information is protected with the LA Wallet and the ability to have a copy of your vaccine status in the application is ideal for residents who tend to misplace things.

Cut 4 (08) “…lose them.” 

It’s free and storing your vaccine status is completely optional.

LSU quarterback TJ Finley has officially entered the transfer portal.  Finley started five games for the Tigers last season after an injury to Myles Brennan but was replaced late in the year by Max Johnson.  USA Today Network LSU Beat reporter Glen Guilbeau says the Ponchatoula native threw for 941 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions in 2020.  While Finley showed some promise, Guilbeau says he wasn’t consistent enough.

Cut 10 (11) “..of games” 

Four women who filed EEOC complaints alleging they suffered sexual harassment and discrimination at LSU Health Shreveport are calling for Chancellor G.E. Ghali to be removed. Attorney Allison Jones represents the four high-ranking members of the school. Jones says Ghali allowed a toxic work environment that was hostile to women.

Cut 6 (10) “…behavior”

An LSU Health Shreveport spokesperson responded saying “LSU Health Shreveport does not comment on personnel matters.”

In addition to providing a digital copy of your driver’s license LA Wallet now offers the ability to store a copy of your COVID vaccine card. Governor Edwards says it’s optional and free of charge.

Cut 3 (04)  “…information” 

The LA Wallet app is free and available for download on the Apple App and Google Play stores.

LSU quarterback TJ Finley has officially entered his name into the transfer portal.  Finley started five games for the Tigers last season after an injury to Myles Brennan but was replaced late in the year by Max Johnson.  USA Today Network LSU Beat reporter Glen Guilbeau says after spring practice Finley saw the writing on the wall.

Cut 9 (12) “…play much”

President Biden is scheduled to speak in Lake Charles at the Calcasieu River Bridge at 1:25 pm, touting his infrastructure plan, and will also visit the water and sewer system in New Orleans this afternoon.

President Joe Biden will arrive in Lake Charles in the next hour to promote his two-point-three trillion-dollar infrastructure plan. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says the state has had ongoing infrastructure needs for decades and Biden’s American Jobs Plan provides a solution.
Cut 5 (11)“…achievable.”
The President will speak in front of the Calcasieu River Bridge, which is 20 years past its designed lifespan. Mr. Biden will also stop in New Orleans this afternoon to visit the city’s Carrollton Water Plant.

A CDC report shows the U-S birth rate has fallen to its lowest point in more than a century. For women between the ages of 20 and 34, the birth rate has declined at least four percent from 2019 to 2020. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Doctor Robert Maupin says this is reflecting a cultural shift among young women…
cut 8 (08) “….family”
Birth rates for women in their late 30s and 40s have increased slightly.

With no debate, the Senate overwhelmingly agrees to advance Senator Beth Mizell’s bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would allow individuals over the age of 21 to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The Senate has approved similar legislation, but Governor John Bel Edwards likes that handgun owners have to receive training to get a permit to conceal carry and could veto the legislation once it reaches his desk.

President Biden is scheduled to arrive in Lake Charles at 12:15 today and deliver remarks on his American Jobs Plan. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the President will speak at 1:25 at the Calcasieu River Bridge, that was built in 1952.

Cut 6 (11) “…restore it.”

Biden will also visit New Orleans and tour the city’s water and sewer system.

State officials are celebrating our low overall COVID caseload but also expressing real concern that the vaccination campaign is stalling out sooner than expected Just under a third of Louisianans have initiated their vaccine series and 27 percent have completed their series Governor Edwards says the rapid decline in demand is concerning.

Cut 15 (12)“…themselves.”

Louisiana residents 21 years and older can carry a concealed handgun without a permit under a bill approved by the House. Belle Chasse Representative Mack Cormier was one of 73 House members who voted for the measure…

cut 11 (08) “….good bill”

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says any legislation that has the potential to bring thousands of untrained individuals with weapons to the streets of New Orleans mixed with alcohol is a deadly combination. She read a statement from New Orleans PD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson in opposition.

Cut 12 (12) “…legislation.”

28 Representatives voted against. A similar measure has also passed the Senate, both bills could be vetoed because Governor Edwards says the training needed to get a permit should stay in place.

President Biden will make two stops in Louisiana today as part of his Getting America Back on Track tour. Brooke Thorington has more on what he’s expected to spotlight.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to name a new LSU System president and chancellor today. U-L System leader Doctor Jim Henderson, Kelvin Droegemeier, and William Tate are the finalists. Sources tell Louisiana Radio Network that Tate has the inside track to get the job. He’s the Provost and Executive Vice President for South Carolina’s Office of Academic Affairs.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would allow those 21 and older to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. The bill’s author, Thibodaux Representative, Bryan Fontenot, says over a dozen states allow individuals to carry concealed weapons without a permit…
cut 13 (11) “….standing ehre”
A similar measure has passed the Senate. Governor Edwards has indicated he would veto both bills.

The US birthrate dropped four percent in 2020 compared to 2019, putting the country “below replacement levels” meaning more Americans die annually than are born. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Dr. Robert Maupin says the decline is partially COVID-related but also advances in contraceptive access and options…
Cut 7 (10) “…time.”

President Biden will visit New Orleans and Lake Charles today to promote his plan to raise corporate taxes in order to pay for billions of dollars in upgrades to roads and bridges. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the President’s Getting America Back on Track Tour is comparable to former President Franklin D Roosevelt’s response to the Great Depression…
Cut 4 (07)“…today.”
The President will speak in front of the Calcasieu River Bridge this afternoon, which is 20 years past its designed lifespan.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says Louisiana’s COVID percent positivity rate is below three percent with six out of nine medical regions seeing week-to-week case decreases.…
cut 14 (12) “….per capita”
But state officials are concerned about the declining demand for the COVID vaccine.

Louisiana residents 21 years and older can carry a concealed handgun without a permit under a bill approved by the House. Belle Chasse Representative Mack Cormier was one of 73 House members who voted for the measure…
cut 11 (08) “….good bill”
28 Representatives voted against. A similar measure has also passed the Senate, both bills could be vetoed because Governor Edwards says the training needed to get a permit should stay in place.

A CDC report shows the U-S birth rate has fallen to its lowest point in more than a century. For women between the ages of 20 and 34, the birth rate has declined at least four percent from 2019 to 2020. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Doctor Robert Maupin says this is reflecting a cultural shift among young women…
cut 8 (08) “….family”
Birth rates for women in their late 30s and 40s have increased slightly.

With no debate, the Senate overwhelmingly agrees to advance Senator Beth Mizell’s bill to ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would remove the need for a permit in order to carry a concealed handgun. Similar legislation has also passed in the Senate, but Governor Edwards opposes the idea.

President Biden will be in Lake Charles and New Orleans today to promote his plan to spend trillions of dollars on an infrastructure plan.

The state health department reports 27-percent of the state’s residents are fully vaccinated while 32-percent have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says with the demand for the vaccine waning, they are moving away from mass vaccine events and into targeted community outreach, like a new program that vaccinates homebound individuals at their home…
cut 16 (09) “….vaccine”

The U-S Birth Rate has fallen to its lowest point ever after falling four percent from 2019 to 2020. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Doctor Robert Maupin says COVID likely played a role in the steep decrease…
cut 9 (11) “….year and a half”